ICS is a key feature of NIMS. It is a widely applicable management system designed to enable effective, efficient incident management by integrating a combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures and communications operating with a common organizational structure. ICS is used to organize on-scene operations for a broad spectrum of incidents/events and guides the process for planning, building and adapting that structure. ICS is based on the command principles of unity of command, chain of command, span of control, delegation of authority and division of labor. The five major functional areas of ICS are command, operations, planning, logistics and finance/administration. The Incident Management – Major Incident flow can be found on the following page.
IncidentCommand
Task Force
Safety
Staging Area
Liaison
Operations PIO
Planning Logistics Finance/ Administration Strike Teams
Single Resource (s)
Air
Operations
Situation
Unit
Demobilization
Unit
Documentation
Unit
Resources
Unit
COMM
Unit
Medical
Unit
Food
Unit
Supply
Unit
Facilities
Unit
Ground
Unit
Time Unit
Procurement
Unit
Compensation
Unit
Cost Unit
SAMPLE
Incident Management
- Major Incident
1.7Position Descriptions
At an Incident/Event The Communications Unit is in the Service Branch of the Logistics Section of the ICS. Listed below are the Communication Unit Organization position titles and responsibilities.
Communications Unit Leader (COML) –Manages the technical and operational aspects of the Communications Function during an incident or event. Develops National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS) Form 205 Incident Radio Communications Plan and supervises the communication unit.
Incident Communications Technician (COMT) – Deploys advanced equipment and keeps it operational throughout the incident/event.
Technical Specialist (THSP) – Allows for the incorporation of personnel who may not be formally certified in any specific NIMS/ICS position. THSPs may include Local Agency Radio Technicians (as opposed to the COMT), Telephone Specialists, Gateway Specialists, Data/IT Specialists, and or Cache Radio Specialists.
Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM) – Supervises the operational aspects of the Incident Communications Center (ICC) (Mobile Unit and/or Fixed Facility). During an incident, the ICC is designed to absorb incident traffic in order to separate that traffic from the day-to-day activities of the dispatch center. The ICC is typically located at the Incident Command Post (ICP) in a fixed site, tent, trailer, mobile communications unit.
Radio Operator (RADO) - Staffs a radio at the ICC and is responsible for documenting incoming radio and telephone messages. Incident Dispatchers or Tactical Dispatchers are used as RADOs.
Dispatch Center or Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Communications Coordinator (COMC) – The COML will work with the COMC to coordinate communications with other dispatch centers and the incident communication plan. Locally, the jurisdictional dispatch center supervisor or dispatcher will act as the Communications Coordinator. Coordinators may also be located at the county, region, state, and/or federal level.
1.8ICS Personnel Common Responsibilities
The following is a checklist applicable to all ICS personnel.
Receive assignment from your agency, including:
Job assignment, e.g., Strike Team designation, overhead position, etc.
Any special communications instructions, e.g. travel channel
Upon arrival at the incident, check in at designated Check-in location. Check-in may be found at:
Incident Command Post
Base or Camps
Staging Areas
Helibases
If you are instructed to report directly to a line assignment, check in with the Division/Group Supervisor
Receive briefing from immediate supervisor.
Acquire work materials.
Conduct all tasks in a manner that ensures safety and welfare of you and your co-workers.
Organize and brief subordinates.
Know the assigned channel(s) for your area of responsibility and ensure that communication equipment is working properly
Use clear text and ICS terminology (no codes) in all radio communications. All radio communications to the Incident Communications Center will be addressed: “(Incident Name) Communications”, e.g., “Webb Communications”.
Obtain briefing from the Logistics Section Chief or Service Branch Director
Organize and staff unit as appropriate
Assign Communications Center Manager and Lead Incident Dispatcher
Assign Message Center Manager and ensure adequate staff is assigned to answer phones and attend to fax machines
Assess communications systems/channels in use; advise on communications capabilities/limitations
Develop and implement effective communications procedures (flow) internal and external to the incident/Incident Command Post.
Assess Incident Command Post phone load and request additional lines as needed
Obtain copy of Communications Resource Availability Worksheet (ICS Form 217A) which provides RF information for the applicable area. If ICS Form 217A has not been completed or is unavailable, it should be prepared).
Prepare and Implement Incident Communications Plan (ICS Form 205):
Make communications assignments to all other Operations elements, including volunteer, contract, or mutual aid
Determine command communications needs
Establish and post any specific procedures for use of Incident Command Post communications equipment
Include cellular phones and pagers in Incident Communications Plan (ICS Form 205) if appropriate:
Determine specific organizational elements to be assigned to telephones
Identify all facilities/locations with which communications must be established (shelters, press area, liaison area, agency facilities, other governmental entities’ Emergency Operations Center [EOCs], etc.), and identify and document phone numbers
Determine which phones and what numbers should be used by specific personnel and their purpose. Assign specific telephone numbers for incoming calls, and report these numbers to staff and off-site parties such as other local jurisdictions, state and federal agencies
Do not publicize OUTGOING call lines
Activate, serve as contact point, and supervise the integration of volunteer radio organizations into the communications system
Ensure radio and telephone logs are available and being used
Determine need and research availability of additional nets and systems:
Additional radios and other communications devices, including repeaters, radio-telephone interconnects and satellite down-link capabilities may be available through KDEM, FEMA or the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)
